Quality Technician

Job Title: Quality Technician

Job Description

The Quality Technician plays a key role in ensuring that all products consistently meet strict quality and safety standards in a high-volume food and beverage manufacturing environment. This position focuses on performing regular quality checks on production lines, collecting and testing samples, and supporting product flow to maintain compliance with specifications. Over time, and depending on experience and tenure, the role can expand to include batching, line technician responsibilities, and potential exposure to microbiology lab work, offering meaningful long-term growth within a stable quality-focused team.

Responsibilities

• Perform quality checks on production lines every 30 minutes to verify that products meet established quality and safety standards.
• Collect product samples, including concentrates and finished products, and return them to the lab for testing against defined specifications.
• Support product flow throughout the production process to ensure items consistently meet quality, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Accurately document test results, observations, and any deviations from specifications to support traceability and continuous improvement.
• Communicate quality issues or non-conformances promptly to production and quality team members to facilitate timely corrective actions.
• Follow standard operating procedures and quality protocols to maintain a controlled and compliant manufacturing environment.
• Participate in training related to batching operations as experience and tenure grow, learning how to prepare and manage product batches according to formulas and specifications.
• Cross-train as a line technician over time to better understand production processes and support overall operational efficiency.
• Contribute to quality assurance inspections across different areas of the plant as needed, reinforcing the principle that quality is integral to every step of production.
• Potentially support microbiology lab work in the future, as experience increases, by assisting with basic micro testing and related quality checks.
• Collaborate closely with a well-tenured QA team, sharing knowledge and supporting colleagues to maintain a strong quality culture.
• Participate in required technical assessments and ongoing training to maintain and improve technical proficiency in quality practices.

Essential Skills

• At least 1–2 years of quality experience in food and/or beverage manufacturing or a similar regulated environment.
• Hands-on experience performing quality checks or inspections in a production setting.
• Familiarity with quality standards, product specifications, and basic lab testing procedures in food or beverage manufacturing.
• Ability to collect, handle, and label samples accurately and return them to the lab for testing.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy when performing tests and documenting results.
• Comfort working in a structured environment with established processes and procedures.
• Willingness and ability to work off-shift hours, particularly nights, as required by the role.
• Team-oriented mindset with a strong focus on quality and safety.
• Ability to complete and pass a technical assessment with a target score of 70% (with some flexibility).

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred, ideally in a science-related field.
• Experience in a unionized manufacturing environment is helpful but not required.
• Experience in food and beverage manufacturing or other highly regulated industries.
• Interest in learning batching processes and gaining cross-training as a line technician.
• Openness to developing skills in microbiology lab work over time.
• Comfort working within a seniority-based system for shift and role selection.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with production and quality teams.
• Commitment to building a long-term career in quality within a stable, growth-oriented environment.

Work Environment

This role is based in a unionized food and beverage manufacturing facility with a strong emphasis on quality, safety, and long-term employee retention. The Quality Assurance department consists of approximately 16 team members and is known for its culture of longevity, internal progression, and low turnover. Quality is treated as a critical function across the entire plant, with the mindset that “everything is QA,” and team members often remain in the department for 5–10 years or more. Employees join as union members from their first day, and shift and role selection follow a seniority-based bidding process. Most employees remain on the shift into which they are hired, and this position is particularly well-suited to individuals who prefer off-shift work, including nights. The facility operates in a structured environment with clear procedures, and the current opening is driven by the addition of a weekend shift to improve work-life balance across the team. The culture values team players who are committed to quality more than any specific personality type, and many employees find a long-term niche within the organization. Benefits eligibility begins on Day 91 and includes health benefits, floating holidays, sick time accrual, vacation that increases with tenure, a weekly pension plan contribution with vesting after five years, and the option to participate in a 401(k). The environment is fast-paced, production-oriented, and highly quality-focused, offering strong job security, clear seniority-driven advancement, and rare turnover in the QA department.

This is a Permanent position based out of Maryland Heights, MO.

The pay range for this position is $50960.00 - $50960.00/yr.

ligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Maryland Heights,MO.

This position is anticipated to close on May 16, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.

Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.